We combine a large number of files at once to make one SAS data file.  I'd like to create a reusable generic SAS program that doesn't need to be changed each time we combine a new set of files (or as little as possible) -- (Ie., so it doesn't list the files out individually in the code).  (I have some knowledge in general programming but am newish to SAS, so please reply like I don't understand much.)   The files for each year have the same variables and structure (.txt w/ comma delimited) including a header.  BUT- 1. the files are stored in separate folders (and folders include other .txt files we want to exclude), and 2. the folder and file names change each time we get new sets of data files to reflect the new date.   Here is an example of the folders & file names, with "we want" marking those wanted to combine into 1 data set from both folders.  (This example is simplified from real situation... more folders and files as well as exceptions aren't always the same from year to year, etc.) Folder name = C:\EIS\EISFall15 ABC_EISFall2015.txt (---we want) BCD_EISFall2015.txt (---we want) CDE_WW_EISFall2015.txt (---we want) CDE_EISFall2015.txt (---want to EXCLUDE)   Folder name = C:\EIS\EISSpring16 ABC_EISSpring16.txt (---we want) BCD_EISSpring16.txt (---we want) CDE_WW_EISSpring16.txt (---we want) CDE_EISSpring16.txt (---want to EXCLUDE)   Is there a way to use a macro or something which calls a list of file names/locations (like a list for each year saved in different file, not in this generic code) so I would only have to change the name of that file list in the generic file to create files for different years?   So something like this: generic code that loops and creates the combine data file...  generic code that opens directory fiie C:\EIS\EIS1516.txt  [that name would be the only thing that would need to change each year] generic code loops through and combines only the files listed in the directory file to create 1 large data file. generic code saves SAS data file in same location as directory file.   Is this possible?  Or other thoughts/ideas?  Thanks. Becky ... View more

Background:  We're trying to create a sas program (9.4) that combines multiple data .txt files (all same format) from one folder to create one large file.  The problem is not all .txt files in the folder should be included and the names differ too much that you can't fix it by specifying something like *ais.txt instead of *.txt.  We also want to reduce the number of changes needed in the program to run the program for other years.  The program below goes to a folder and lists the directory of all .txt files which are then all combined.   Question:  Is there a way to use .txt file that lists by line the specific names of the files you want to be combined like this: R:\AIS\Final Files\2015\ais1.txt R:\AIS\Final Files\2015\ais2.txt R:\AIS\Final Files\2015\wierdname1.txt and the program calls up that file (ais2015directory.txt) and loops through to combine the files listed?  Or is there a better or easier way to do this where we can still use the same program for different years without making a lot of changes each year?   Does any of this make sense?  Thank you!     /*!!!!!Change Lib Directory*/ libname AIS15 'R:\AIS\Final Files\2015'; run; /*!!! Change Directory*/ %let dirname = R:\AIS\Submissions\2015; filename DIRLIST pipe "dir /B ""&dirname""\*.txt"; **the 2 sets of double quotes are needed here to allow for spaces in our file name; data dirlist ; length fname $256; infile dirlist length=reclen ; input fname $varying256. reclen ; run; data AIS_auto (drop=fname); length field1 $1. field2 $4. field3 $8. ; set dirlist; filepath = "&dirname\"||fname; infile dummy filevar = filepath length=reclen delimiter=',' end=done DSD MISSOVER lrecl=32767 firstobs=2;; do while(not done); myfilename = filepath; input field1 field2 field3; output; end; run; ... View more